Kota Kinabalu: Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Joachim Gunsalam defended the appointment of a non-Bumiputera as General Manager of the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco), stating that its founding enactment does not mandate senior positions be held exclusively by Bumiputeras.
He also emphasised the importance of promoting racial integration within government departments and government-linked companies (GLCs), reflecting Sabah’s plural, harmonious, and multicultural society.
“Sedco has clear policies to uplift the Bumiputera community. As a state-owned agency, it was established to drive growth, stimulate statewide development, and support the socioeconomic advancement of Bumiputeras,” he said.
Joachim also called on government bodies and agencies to take proactive steps to strengthen the economy, urging them to discard outdated procedures that hinder progress.
Joachim, who is also the Minister of Local Government and Housing, reaffirmed his support for government initiatives promoting financial integrity and transparency in development allocations, aimed at preventing the misuse of funds.
On human capital development, Joachim underscored the state’s commitment to empowering youth and young women through education and employment opportunities.
“I fully support the government’s unwavering commitment to enhancing human capital, particularly by providing wider access to higher education, technical and vocational training (TVET), and offering guidance to those pursuing modern agriculture — in line with the Madani government’s efforts to ensure national food security,” he said.
Addressing concerns raised by local contractors, Joachim urged the government and the Public Works Department (PWD) to provide greater opportunities for local Class F Bumiputera contractors in small-scale government projects.
He noted that despite holding valid licenses, many of these contractors continue to struggle to secure projects and sustain their businesses.
“I strongly appeal to the government to offer more opportunities to Class F Bumiputera contractors, especially in minor works like grass cutting, culvert construction and road repairs. They have the licenses but are still struggling to survive,” he said.
Joachim also called for assistance for established Bumiputera contractors who face challenges competing for larger projects due to stringent capital requirements, despite possessing substantial machinery and valid Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) G6 or G7 licences.
He highlighted the positive impact of past policies that nurtured local contractors and provided them with a pathway to success.
“There are many successful contractors in Sabah today who started from humble beginnings and now manage projects worth billions. In this spirit, I urge the government to support local Bumiputera contractors who have been in the industry for years but are now forced to abandon their businesses because they cannot meet the high capital thresholds,” he said.
He recalled the Competent Contractor Policy, implemented between the late 1990s and 2008, describing it as an effective framework that developed Bumiputera contractors and enabled them to build the capacity to compete at higher levels.
On infrastructure issues, Joachim criticised bureaucratic delays in project implementation, citing the stalled repair works along the Km15 Tenom-Kemabong-Sipitang road as a clear example.
“I urge the government to make changes to policies that slow down efforts to implement projects to repair damaged infrastructure and utilities. For urgent projects, we need to fast-track appointments and get work started without unnecessary red tape,” he said.
He proposed expediting the implementation of critical projects through immediate contractor appointments on a design-and-build basis. Joachim also raised concerns over slow road maintenance by the PWD and its concessionaires, which, he said, has led to growing public dissatisfaction.